CHAPTER 2 1.By the end of Chapter 2 we have been introduced to four of the principal characters. In what ways might Chapters 1 and 2 serve to illuminate one another? Comparing the two, what do we learn about such important themes as race and gender in this novel? 2. Compare the first physical descriptions of the four characters.
3. The narrator occasionally shows his/her face in the narrations, using the first person ( I or We) or addressing the reader directly as in the last paragraph on pg. 37. What is the effect that this has on our reception of the narration?
CHAPTER 3 1. What role does the natural world, her life in tropical Cuba, play in Carlota's mindset?
2. In Chapter 3 there is a great deal of characterization of George Otway as well as don Carlos de B. What do the two men have in common with their children? How are the children different? 3. Also, in Chapter 3 we see a lot of characterization of the society in which this novel is taking place. What do we learn about the customs surrounding marriage, religion, inheritance etc. etc.?
CHAPTER 4 1. On page 46 Enrique mutters something that is apparently unbecoming, though the narrator never tells us what it is? What might he have said? Who was spying on him? Why? Did Carlota hear what he said? None of this is totally clear in the text, why does Avellaneda opt for so much ambiguity and mystery in this case?
2. What is the role of the weather in this chapter. The central paragraph on page 46 is particularly centered on the coming storm. What are the effects of this emphasis?
CHAPTER 5 1. How should we interpret Sab's behavior during the storm? Why does he hate Enrique so much? Given that he hates him so much, why does he let him live?
2. How does Carlota's behavior/reaction on pages 52-53 serve to characterize her? Does the narrator express any judgment about the heroine or is he/she totally removed?
3. What do you foresee will be Teresa's role in the development of the rest of the novel? Up until now she has been only a very minor character. Nevertheless, the narrator has made a point to describe her reaction to certain moments (See pages 54 in particular).
CHAPTER 6 1. Consider the paragraphs on pg. 56 in which Carlota pursues the butterfly. How are we to interpret this scene in the context of the rest of the novel?
2. How do the interaction between Carlota and the slaves on pg. 57 and her granting to Sab his freedom on pg. 53 shape our understanding of the role of slavery in this novel?
3. How does the garden that Sab has built for Carlota enhance our thinking about space and the way that the characters in this novel occupy it?
CHAPTER 7 1.There has been a certain amount of emphasis placed on Sab's eyes. Why?
2. How is Enrique's understanding of marriage different from his father's?
CHAPTER 8 1.What is it that Sab and Teresa recognize in one another's eyes?
2. Think about the song that Carlota sings in this chapter. How does the situation relayed in the song pertain to the scenario that is playing itself out in the novel?
CHAPTER 9 1.Consider the story of Cheif Camaguey. How does this story (and Carlota's reaction to it) fit into what you know about Romanticism?
2. Why does Señor de B stop Sab from talking about old Martina's prophecies?
3. What are we to make of the constant comparisons between Carlota and the landscape (see, for example, pg. 71)?
CHAPTER 10 1. How does Avellaneda use this chapter to characterize Teresa, even before she gains protagonism at the very end of the chapter?
CHAPTER 11 No discussion questions for this chapter.
PART II
CHAPTER 1 1. Consider the open discussion of race and slavery in this chapter. How does this contribute to our understanding of Sab (the character), and of Sab (the novel) in its historical context?
2. Given what you know about Romanticism, what in this chapter stands out to you as typically-Romantic? If your answer to this question is "I don't know anything about Romanticism." I would suggest that you listen to the Prof. Anderson's podcast (linked on the homepage of this wiki).
3. There are more and more comparisons of Carlota and the natural world. Why? Think about this.
CHAPTER 2 1. Think about the way that the various characters in the novel (as well as the narrator) talk about race. How do the various discourses differ? How are they the same?
2.How are we to interpret the seemingly gratuitous dialogue with which Avellaneda closes this chapter?
CHAPTER 3 1.In what ways does this chapter deepen our understanding of Enrique's character? 2. What effect does the death of Sab's horse have on the reader? Why might Avellaneda have included this detail?
CHAPTER 4 1. The final paragraphs of this chapter present some interesting reflections on beginnings and endings. What ends here, what begins? Why the simultaneity of beginnings and endings?
CHAPTER 5 1. How are we to understand Carlota and Enrique's happiness in this chapter?
PART I
CHAPTER 2
1.By the end of Chapter 2 we have been introduced to four of the principal characters. In what ways might Chapters 1 and 2 serve to illuminate one another? Comparing the two, what do we learn about such important themes as race and gender in this novel?
2. Compare the first physical descriptions of the four characters.
3. The narrator occasionally shows his/her face in the narrations, using the first person ( I or We) or addressing the reader directly as in the last paragraph on pg. 37. What is the effect that this has on our reception of the narration?
CHAPTER 3
1. What role does the natural world, her life in tropical Cuba, play in Carlota's mindset?
2. In Chapter 3 there is a great deal of characterization of George Otway as well as don Carlos de B. What do the two men have in common with their children? How are the children different?
3. Also, in Chapter 3 we see a lot of characterization of the society in which this novel is taking place. What do we learn about the customs surrounding marriage, religion, inheritance etc. etc.?
CHAPTER 4
1. On page 46 Enrique mutters something that is apparently unbecoming, though the narrator never tells us what it is? What might he have said? Who was spying on him? Why? Did Carlota hear what he said? None of this is totally clear in the text, why does Avellaneda opt for so much ambiguity and mystery in this case?
2. What is the role of the weather in this chapter. The central paragraph on page 46 is particularly centered on the coming storm. What are the effects of this emphasis?
CHAPTER 5
1. How should we interpret Sab's behavior during the storm? Why does he hate Enrique so much? Given that he hates him so much, why does he let him live?
2. How does Carlota's behavior/reaction on pages 52-53 serve to characterize her? Does the narrator express any judgment about the heroine or is he/she totally removed?
3. What do you foresee will be Teresa's role in the development of the rest of the novel? Up until now she has been only a very minor character. Nevertheless, the narrator has made a point to describe her reaction to certain moments (See pages 54 in particular).
CHAPTER 6
1. Consider the paragraphs on pg. 56 in which Carlota pursues the butterfly. How are we to interpret this scene in the context of the rest of the novel?
2. How do the interaction between Carlota and the slaves on pg. 57 and her granting to Sab his freedom on pg. 53 shape our understanding of the role of slavery in this novel?
3. How does the garden that Sab has built for Carlota enhance our thinking about space and the way that the characters in this novel occupy it?
CHAPTER 7
1.There has been a certain amount of emphasis placed on Sab's eyes. Why?
2. How is Enrique's understanding of marriage different from his father's?
CHAPTER 8
1.What is it that Sab and Teresa recognize in one another's eyes?
2. Think about the song that Carlota sings in this chapter. How does the situation relayed in the song pertain to the scenario that is playing itself out in the novel?
CHAPTER 9
1.Consider the story of Cheif Camaguey. How does this story (and Carlota's reaction to it) fit into what you know about Romanticism?
2. Why does Señor de B stop Sab from talking about old Martina's prophecies?
3. What are we to make of the constant comparisons between Carlota and the landscape (see, for example, pg. 71)?
CHAPTER 10
1. How does Avellaneda use this chapter to characterize Teresa, even before she gains protagonism at the very end of the chapter?
CHAPTER 11
No discussion questions for this chapter.
PART II
CHAPTER 1
1. Consider the open discussion of race and slavery in this chapter. How does this contribute to our understanding of Sab (the character), and of Sab (the novel) in its historical context?
2. Given what you know about Romanticism, what in this chapter stands out to you as typically-Romantic? If your answer to this question is "I don't know anything about Romanticism." I would suggest that you listen to the Prof. Anderson's podcast (linked on the homepage of this wiki).
3. There are more and more comparisons of Carlota and the natural world. Why? Think about this.
CHAPTER 2
1. Think about the way that the various characters in the novel (as well as the narrator) talk about race. How do the various discourses differ? How are they the same?
2.How are we to interpret the seemingly gratuitous dialogue with which Avellaneda closes this chapter?
CHAPTER 3
1.In what ways does this chapter deepen our understanding of Enrique's character?
2. What effect does the death of Sab's horse have on the reader? Why might Avellaneda have included this detail?
CHAPTER 4
1. The final paragraphs of this chapter present some interesting reflections on beginnings and endings. What ends here, what begins? Why the simultaneity of beginnings and endings?
CHAPTER 5
1. How are we to understand Carlota and Enrique's happiness in this chapter?